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Monday 8:30am - 4pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm Thursday 8:30am - 4pm Friday 8:30am - 4pm

The Dogwood School

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The Dogwood School

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Dogwood School, Nursery, 8 Dogwood Drive, Chester, NJ.

02/01/2026

Why Valentine’s Day Cards Matter for Children

As February approaches, many schools will be talking about Valentine’s Day and exchanging cards with friends. While adults often associate this holiday with romance, for young children it’s really about something much simpler: friendship and kindness.

Valentine’s Day gives children a concrete way to practice caring for others. Writing or giving a card helps them learn that small gestures can make someone feel included. A Valentine might be a child’s way of saying, “I like playing with you,” “You matter to me,” or “I’m glad you’re my friend.”

These moments may seem small, but they’re powerful. Exchanging Valentines encourages children to think beyond themselves, recognize others, and experience the feeling of giving. It also helps build social skills like empathy, generosity, and connection.

Whether the cards are store-bought or handmade, the experience is what counts. Sitting down together to talk about who they’ll give a card to and why can open conversations about friendship and kindness.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about cards or decorations. For children, it’s a chance to learn how love and kindness show up in everyday actions and how small gestures can make a big difference.

01/04/2026

It looks like we’re in for a snowy winter! While many adults may groan at that thought (not me - I love the snow!), that’s typically not how children feel. They tend to love it, and we know this from years of watching their smiles and hearing their laughter when they play in the snow.

Snow changes play and creates memories many of us still recall: sledding, building snowmen and forts, and making snow angels…often followed by a warm cup of hot chocolate!

It's a whole new sensory experience. It’s cold, wet, and crunchy, and moving through it makes children use their bodies in new ways. When children walk, climb, pull, and balance in the snow, they build strength and coordination without even realizing they’re “working.”

It's also full of open-ended creativity. Children love making tracks and building (and rebuilding) structures. There’s no right way to play in the snow, so creativity kicks in, and that’s one of the many benefits.

Spending time outdoors in winter is also good for children’s health and wellness. Fresh air and movement help support their immune systems (despite the common myth that cold air makes you sick), improves mood, and builds confidence. In many ways, it’s similar to how adults feel after getting outside for a walk or some exercise. Children often come back inside happier, calmer, and more regulated.

11/26/2025

Helping Children Feel Safe When Reconnecting With Family

The holidays are full of joy, excitement… and those occasional "Wait, who's that again?" moments.

Let's be honest, we've all gone through the family tree in the car on the way to Thanksgiving. "That's your cousin's new boyfriend," "She's Grandma's sister," "No, that's the other Uncle Joe."

For young children, it can be a lot to take in.

Relatives they haven't seen in months (or ever) can feel like strangers. And sometimes we don't even know everyone sitting around the table.

As adults, we've had years of practice making small talk and faking confidence in social settings. But for children, those skills are still developing. What feels natural to us can feel completely overwhelming to them.

So if your child hides behind your leg, clings to you, or needs extra time to warm up, that's okay. They're not being rude, they're trying to feel safe.

Some helpful tips:

✨ Skip the "Go give Aunt Linda a hug" demand. Let your child decide when (and if) they're ready for hugs. Just watching you greeting the relatives is the modeling they need.

✨ If they want to stay close, let them. Sitting on your lap or holding your hand helps them feel secure and helps them regulate their emotions.

✨ Prepping can help. Before the event, remind them who they might see ("Remember Grandpa with the long beard?") and reassure them that you'll be close by if they need you.

✨ Expect big feelings. The season is full of excitement (aka: overstimulation). Meet your child where they are, support their emotions, and let them know it’s okay to feel that way.

Your calm presence and empathy can help your child learn how to handle their own emotions. The safer they feel, the more they'll open up... in their own time.

11/17/2025

Information about our programs for the 2026-2027 school year was sent out.

The link to register will open on Sunday, December 7th at 7 AM.

Reach out with any questions.

11/16/2025

Building Independence

You know those mornings when you're in a rush, trying to get out the door, and your child suddenly insists, "I do it myself!"

You take a deep breath, knowing it might not go smoothly (or quickly), and that the shoes might end up on the wrong feet. But that moment is exactly what builds confidence and resilience.

Children learn independence through doing, not by watching. The feeling of accomplishment — even when things aren't perfect — is what fuels their determination to try again. Our job is to set them up for success by giving them the time and space to practice.

As children grow, independence takes on a different form. That "Me do it!" energy might fade, but the pride and quiet confidence of doing something on their own remains. That's the foundation of perseverance, confidence, and grit.

Here are a few ways to encourage independence when sending your child to preschool:

🧺 Lunches — Let your child help pack their lunch! Choose containers that they can open easily so they can manage on their own.

👕 Clothing — Avoid tricky snaps, belts, or tight jeans. Opt for elastic waistbands and shoes that can be easily slipped on. Independence builds through little daily wins.

🧤 Winter gear — Label everything and give your child time to practice putting on coats, mittens, hats, and boots. Try turning it into playtime — they'll build problem-solving skills while feeling proud of what they can do all by themselves.

Small moments of "I did it!" are big milestones in your child's growing confidence.

10/27/2025

When Halloween Feels Scary

Halloween is meant to be fun..but for preschoolers, it can sometimes feel a little scary. Think about it: people walking around in strange costumes, making noises, and looking different than usual!

Young children, especially under the age of four, may not understand the difference between what’s real and what’s make-believe. Around the age four or five, they start to grasp it more fully, but even then, costumes and spooky decorations can still feel scary.

So as you come to our Halloween parade, head to a party, or go out trick-or-treating, remember, it’s okay (and normal) if your child feels unsure. Don’t force it or worry that something’s “wrong” if they cry or just want to be held. Acknowledge their feelings, support them, and meet them where they are.

At our parade, you can help by joining in, sit with them, sing along, and dance a little. Your calm presence is the best comfort your child could ask for.

05/11/2025

Twenty-three years at Dogwood, and one of my favorite parts has always been talking with parents—because it reminds me I’m not alone. Exhausted, grateful, overwhelmed, lucky…

This week, I asked moms what they really wanted for Mother’s Day.

Not one person said jewelry or a fancy trip.

They said:
☕ A hot cup of coffee
🛁 A bath
🧘‍♀️ Time for yoga
📖 A quiet moment to read
🧺 One hour to clean the closet
🚫 And yes—even a day off from diaper changes!

It’s not much. Just a little space. A little time. A little break.

So here’s your reminder: it’s okay to ask for that—on Mother’s Day and all year long.

You deserve to recharge, too.

Wishing all our amazing Dogwood moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! Thanks for helping me get through motherhood by realizing I’m not alone!

05/05/2025

10 Things Your Child Wants You to Know:

Little kids have big feelings—and not always the words to explain them! Here's what they might say if they could:

1. If I'm throwing a tantrum, I might just need a hug. I'm not trying to give you a hard time—I'm having a hard time.

2. When I say "no," it doesn't always mean I don't want to—it might just mean I need more time.

3. Sometimes I cry and don't know why either. Big feelings can be pretty confusing when you're small.

4. If I hang onto your leg, it's because you're my safe place.

5. When I ask "why?" a million times, I'm not trying to drive you crazy—I'm trying to understand the world.

6. If I get distracted or move slowly, it's because everything around me is so interesting.

7. When I make a mess, I'm not trying to be careless—I'm just still learning.

8. If I'm cranky after school or after a long day, it's not personal—I'm tired, hungry, or need a little time to reset.

9. When I say "watch me!" it's because your attention makes me feel important and loved.

10. Even when I'm pushing boundaries or testing limits, I still need you to love me unconditionally. That's how I learn I'm safe and secure in the world.

They're not giving us a hard time—they're having a hard time. And we get to help them through it. A little patience, a little perspective, and a lot of love go a long way.

04/22/2025

Earth Day Resolutions

Happy Earth Day. In our classrooms, we're talking about ways to care for the earth—turning off lights, conserving water, and reusing materials.

We've all heard the saying, "Every day should be Earth Day," but let's be honest - life gets busy, we're in a rush, and sometimes, we just go with what's quick and easy.

But what if Earth Day became that moment to reset— like New Year's —and we each made one small resolution? It doesn't have to be big. Maybe it's committing to using cloth napkins and not buying paper ones anymore. Maybe it's finally taking paper towels off your grocery list for good.

If you're already doing these things or you're ready for a bigger challenge, what if you committed to consuming less "stuff"? Imagine if each of us bought one less item per week.

Confession: I'm a stress shopper!

But in all seriousness, this is something many of us can work on and something we can model for our children.

When your child asks for something, try asking: "Do we really need it?"

Introduce them to the "Need it, Love it, Like it, Want it" approach.

It's not about saying no to everything—it's just a way to slow down and be more thoughtful:

Do we need it? These are the essentials—things like food or weather-appropriate clothing.

Do we love it? Items that bring happiness or meaning, even if they aren't necessities (a book or a particular type of clothing like a sweatshirt from a family vacation).

Do we like it? Fun or interesting things we'd enjoy—but wouldn't really miss if we didn't have them.

Do we want it? Impulse purchases or desires that might not be worth it (sometimes causes regret).

*You might still buy the "stuff"—and that's okay! It's always about progress, not perfection! Saying things out loud like "Hmm… do I "need this, or do I just want it?" plants a seed and gets your child (and you) thinking.

02/14/2025

Love isn’t just in our words—it’s in our everyday actions. When children grow up, they may not remember every detail of their childhood, but they will remember how you made them feel.

And before the parent guilt creeps in, this isn’t about whether you ever raised your voice. It’s about how your child feels in your presence most of the time—safe, loved, and cared for.

Happy Valentine’s Day—here’s to showing our love today and always. ❤️

01/26/2025

We're All Different, and That's a Beautiful Thing

Early childhood curriculum often focuses on celebrating differences—how we look different, how we celebrate different things, and how we have different family experiences. These lessons aren't just important for kids. They're powerful reminders for us as parents, too.

When I first became a parent, I had a set of beliefs about how children should be raised. I thought I knew the "right" way to approach things like sleep schedules, food choices, and how they should spend their time. However, over time, I learned that what works for one child might not work for another.

Every child is different. Some thrive on structure, while others need flexibility. One child might need visual instructions to complete a task, while another quickly follows verbal directions. Some are full of energy in the morning, while others take their time waking up and are at their best later in the day (applies to adults too!).

Temperaments and personalities shape how our children engage with the world—and as parents, we need to adjust to meet them where they are.

Parenting can feel overwhelming because there's no one-size-fits-all manual. And just when you think you've figured it out, they change!

The best thing we can do is understand and support their needs. By responding to who they are—not trying to change them—we not only help them thrive, but we teach them to value differences in others.

After all, if we were all alike, what kind of world would that be?

01/07/2025

As Maya Angelou once said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better."

That's the mantra I'm carrying with me into 2025: progress, not perfection. Parenting is a journey, and we're all figuring it out as we go. There's no manual because every child is different, and we've never done this before.

It's easy to play "Monday morning quarterback"—to look back and think about what we could, would, or should've done differently. But parenting thoughtfully means committing to learning and growing, not getting stuck in self-doubt.

Try waking up 30 minutes earlier each morning to think, learn, or journal. Reflect on the previous day, jot down what went well, and set a small intention for how you want to show up today. That little bit of time can help you start the day with intention and feel ready to take on whatever comes next. Plus, I guarantee you'll savor that quiet cup of coffee before anyone else gets up!

Let go of the idea of perfection this year. You weren’t perfect last year, and you won’t be perfect this year either—and that’s okay. Each step (or stumble) is part of becoming the best version of yourself—and the best parent you can be.

Address

8 Dogwood Drive
Chester, NJ
07930

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4pm
Friday	8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+19088797477

Website

http://www.thedogwoodschool.com/

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